In this raw and deeply personal episode, Dawn is joined by Meg and Misha for a powerful conversation sparked by the documentary Death of a Pastor’s Wife. What begins as a discussion about the story quickly becomes something much bigger: an exploration of religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, purity culture, coercive control, and what can happen when women are taught to sacrifice their own identity, instincts, and safety in the name of being a “good wife” or “good Christian.”

Misha, a trauma-informed coach and somatic healing practitioner specializing in narcissistic abuse, brings both professional insight and her own experience growing up in evangelical culture. Meg shares an intensely personal perspective on life as a pastor’s wife, the loss of identity she experienced, and the difficult process of recognizing and unlearning beliefs that shaped not only her relationships, but also what her children learned about relationships and womanhood.

Together, they examine how spiritual authority can be weaponized, why abuse can become normalized inside religious communities, how shame and submission can silence women, and why leaving an abusive environment doesn't automatically undo years of conditioning.

This conversation gets emotional because these aren't simply stories from a documentary. For many women, this is real life. Dawn, Meg, and Misha remind listeners that recognizing abuse, reclaiming your identity, and questioning what you've been taught can be part of finding your way back to yourself.

Content Warning: This episode contains candid discussion of religious trauma, narcissistic and emotional abuse, sexual coercion, domestic violence, mental health, and other potentially triggering experiences.